November 11, 2025
Why Veterans of War become Activists for Peace by Dr. Michael Messner intro by Dr. Michael Adee
Why Veterans of War become Activists for Peace
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on November 11, to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It was originally known as Armistice Day, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I.
Michael Adee’s father served in the Army during World War II and rarely spoke about his experience of war. Michael invites us all to learn more about Veteran’s for Peace by watching the YouTube video “Why Veterans Become Activists for Peace,” posted below.
Invitation: “How might people committed to peace also honor military veterans and their families?”
Photo Credit: Veterans for Peace
Michael Adee is a lifelong human rights advocate whose work has spanned LGBTQ+ equality, faith-based organizing, and humanitarian service across the globe. A former Executive Director of More Light Presbyterians and founder of RainbowCorps, Michael now directs the Global Faith and Justice Project through the Horizons Foundation in San Francisco—and is a cherished friend to us at the Circles of Courageous Commons.
Michael Messner is a professor emeritus of sociology and gender studies from the University of Southern California. His research has fallen includes topics such as, gender and sport; sports media; men, feminism and politics; war and peace. You can find more information at the links below.
Veterans for Peace - https://www.veteransforpeace.org/who-we-are/statement-purpose
Guys Like Me, by Michael Messner book -- https://www.guyslikemebook.com/
Additional information:
Statement of Purpose for the Veteran’s for Peace
We, as military veterans, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others both nationally and internationally
To increase public awareness of the causes and costs of war
To restrain our governments from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
To resist racism and repression in our home communities
To oppose the militarization of law enforcement
To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
To abolish war as an instrument of national policy
To promote a sustainable and peaceful world
To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace. (Amended Dec 2024)
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In recent years I have taken note of Veterans for Peace. I appreciate their Statement of Purpose:
"We, as military veterans, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others both nationally and internationally."
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My Dad served as a medic in the US Army in Germany toward the end of WWll. He rarely, If ever, talked about his experiences of war. I cannot fully imagine the horrors he saw, experienced and endured. I wholeheartedly believe that Veterans Day offers us a time to honor veterans for their service and to recognize their work, and our work, for peace. It is a both/and for me, not an either/or, and this new book by "Why Veterans of War become Activists for Peace" is one I recommend to all.
May learning causes,
costs of war lead to work on
its abolition.